Guzmania multifolora, yes? Enclosed is a photo that I took Sept. 2013 at Otun Quimbaya Preserve in Columbia, which is a long hour away from Pereira in the dept. of Resaralda. I like the "candy corn" colors. Quite common in those parts.

I would suggest you look at the roots of these plants.. Most Tillandsia roots are like wire hard & dry ,only used for holding in place. there are a few that that actually grow in dirt. the rest will die off.. those species that normally grow in soil will have a softer more spread out root system. the Florida Brom Socoity has a great website with lists & Pics http://fcbs.org/picgenus.htm cliff

Hi guys peren. I doubt if this is it, though just possible, due to hardiness. iochroma. I think you hit it. Thanks guys Fof

Hi everyone. Luis - The plant with the red flowers looks like Aechmea 'Forest Fire' or Aechmea blanchetiana (Red form). The one with the orange/yellow flowers looks to me like Aechmea blanchetiana (Orange form). The words (Red form) and (Orange form) are not officially part of their names and are just added for the grower's benefit to distinguish between plants when they aren't flowering. I have three different forms of blanchetiana, yellow form (most common), red form and orange form, so named because of the colour of the flowers. See: http://fcbs.org/pictures.htm There are also other blanchetianas with different coloured leaves which in many cases are a more attractive feature than the flowers in my opinion, especially the "orange leafed" version. All of these do best in full sun here in our moderate climate where I live on the south coast of New South Wales Australia. The wind is their enemy though and it will knock their leaves about terribly. All the best, Nev